Device for setting the selective controlling apparatus on a moving automatic goods conveyer or trucker from a fixed station.



L. ROTTENBURG. DEVICE FOR SETTING THE SELECTIVE CONTROLLING APPARATUS ON A MOVING AUTOMATIC GOODS CONVEYER 0R TRUCKER FROM A FIXED STATION.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 14. I913. A

1,244,546. Patented 0m. 30,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

Witnesses: 1 fnvezziw Lawns 190786115109 I /Zw/my L. ROTTENBURG.

DEVICE FOR smme THE SELECTIVE commum; APPARATUS ON A MOVING AUTOMATIC eoobs CONVEYER 0R TRUCKER FROM A FIXED STATION.

APPLiCATlON FILED MAR. 14. I913. 1,244,546. Patented 0015.30.1917.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses: In 11/021502".-

- Loam Halts/163719,

L. ROTTENBURG.

DEVTCE FOR SETTING THE SELECTIVE CONTROLLING APPARATUS ON A MOVING AUTOMATIC GOODS CONVEYER 0R TRUCKER FROM A FIXED STATIO N. APPLlCATION FILED MAR. I4, I913.

1,244,546. Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a device according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the device.

Fig. 3 is a plan with the cover removed.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6, respectively, show 1]] detail the keys or push-buttons in side elevation, in rear elevation, and in plan.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the key shown in Fig. 4, enlarged.

Fig. 8 shows in diagrammatic form the locking and releasin devices of the main despatching leverand push-buttons in plan and in elevation.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a box like body supported upon legs 2, the whole presenting a desklike appearance, and 2 indicates the top thereof. 3 indicates the wires connecting the keys and contacts.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show the details of these keys, in which a indicates an insulating body having a connecting piece d. This part a which is part of the key, is rectan lar in cross section, while the upper an lower parts, I) and c, are cylindrical, and are guided in holes in the cover 2 and base 2 of the despatching table. At the top of b' the nuinber"is fixed,as on the keys of a typewriter. The shape of the body a prevents the keys from turning, as the thickness of a is equal to the pitch of theholes less working clearance. Each key is held up by a helical spring S, so that d connects the two spring contacts a e electrically, until the key is depressed, and d is brought into 0- sition d and the connectionbroken. Fhe depressed key is held down by the catchbar g which is hinged or pivoted at its u per edge, and pressed against the row of eys by a spring 9'. This bar engages the catch f (fixed to a) when it gets to its lower position f. The catch 7 has a gently inclined surface f and a sharply inclined surface f, as shown in Fig. 7. The hatched parts represent a key a which has been depressed,

and the catch 'f' of which has been held down by the catch bar 9 engaging the surface f and the unhatched parts represent another key a which is being depressed in its stead. The lower edge f of its catch f forces the catch-bar 9 out of engagement with the surface f" ofthe catch f and the inclined surface f is too steep to prevent the spring of a from forcing key a, up. Vhen key a is entirely depressed the catch bar 9 enga on surface f of the catch f. Thus the if:

H pressing of any key releases the last key depressed.

At the back the body a has two slots h h (Fig. 4) cut across it. The main despatching switch I, Fig. 8, is coupled to a locking-bar j, which slides in a guide chan'iel k.

" When the switch is closed the bar enters as shown in Fig. 8 where two rows are shown, and the lower slots of all the other keys, and locks all the keys, so that the 0pcrator cannot alter the setting during a transfer. If the operator depresses the wrong keys he must make the necessary correction before closing the despatching switch.

- As already explained, the keys are released when the transfer takes place, and this is effected in the following manner. On reference to Fig. 8 it will be seen that their several locking bars 7' are combined into one locking frame for locking'a corresponding number of rows of keys. A sprin l anchored to a fixed point I tends to'pull the lever l and switch blade r into the off position, but it is revented from doin by the catch m ig. 8) hin .d to a xed point m, engaging the lever under the infiuence of the sprin m As shown in Fig. 8 a steel or iron so enoid core or plunger n is suspended from a fixed point 22 by a springn in such away'that when at rest the p anger hangs just'clear of the catch m as shown. The solenoid p is connectedin series with some portion of transfer mechanism of the despatching station, which is only energized when a transfer is made and a tray despatched. During the 'despatch the plunger n is drawn up into the solenoid and when the current is cut oil afterward, the plunger drops, striking the catch m and releasing the lever l andswitch-blade r. 1 q, q, are the contacts for the blade'r carried by the lever l of the switch and by means of which the current of the contacts is controlled.

The action of the apparatus is as follows i It will be noted that in the example illustrated there are twelve keys numbered 1 to."

12 and therefore twelve contacts in the row which are numbered 1' to 12'. The number of keys and contacts are the same for each row in the example given. Assuming it is desired to impart seven impulses to the register, key number 5 is depressed whereby the contacts Nos. 1 to 5 are cut out and the remainder, 6 to 12, are retained. These conf tacts are, as already explained, arranged in the path of a brush or wiper indicated by as, Fig. 3, carried by the vehicle and con whichthe depressed keys are held against further operation until the catch 'm is released by the spring suspended core n of magnet p, which magnet as before stated, is"

only energized whenthe desired operatiomjgo I which said switch member contacts to close ber engaging such the transfer of the tray of goods, takes a place.

Having thus describedmy invention, I jclaim:-

1. Inia' device of the class described, a contact controlling device comprising a switch member, a number of fixed contacts with which said switch member contacts to close its circuit, a corresponding number of movable contacts controlling the circuits of said fixed contacts, and a number of keys operatively associated with said movable contacts.

2. In a device of the class described, a contact controlling devlce comprising'a swltch member, a number of fixed contacts with its circuit, a corresponding. number of movable contacts controlling thecircuits of said fixed contracts, and a number of keys operatively associated with said movable contacts, and means for locking the movable contacts after they have been operated.

3. In adevice of the class described, a contact controlling device comprising a switch,

adapted to contact with a number of fixed contacts with which are associated circuit closing means comprising resilient members,

contacts for bridging said members each carried by a spring pressed body,'a projection upon said body, and a spring pressed mem. projectlons when the bodies are depressed. 1 V

i. In a device of the class described, a contact controlling device comprising a switch, 'a number of fixed contacts with which are associated circuit closing; means comprising tact controlling device comprising a switch,

a number of fixed contacts with which are as-- soclated c rcuit closing means comprising resilient members, contacts for bridging said members each carried by a spring pressed body, a numbered key associated withsaidspring pressed body,a projection upon said Copies of this patent may be obtained for body, a "spring pressed memberengaging Lsuch projections when the bodies are depressed, recesses upon the said body, a bar assoclated with the switch lever engaging said recesses when the switch is closed, means- :lOr locking the lever of the despatch switch, and means for releasing said locking means.

6. In a device of the class described, a contact controlling device comprising a switch, a number of fixed contacts with which are associated circuit closing means comprising resilient members, contacts for bridging said members each carried by a spring pressed body, a numbered key associated with said spring pressed body, a projection upon said body, a spring pressed member engaging such projections when the bodies are dezpressed, recesses upon the said body, a bar associated with the switch lever engaging said recesses when the switch is closed, a

spring pressed arm, a detent upon said arm engaging thelever of thedespatch switch, and meansror said lever.

7. In a deviceof the class described,a contact .controlling device comprising a switch, a number of fixed contacts with which are associated circuit closing means,

comprising resilient members, contacts for bridging said members each carried by aspring pressed body, a numbered key associated with said spring pressed body, a projection upon said body, a spring pressed member engaging such projections when the bodies are depressed, recesses upon the said body, a bar associated with the despatch lever engaging said recesses when the switch is closed, a spring pressed arm, a detent upon said arm engaging the lever of the despatch switch, a solenoid'and a spring suspended core in said solenoid, saidcore being noroperating said arm to release mally clear of the spring armlocking the despatch switch and contacting therewith under the recoil when the solenoid has been energized by the current .for despatching a'ndthe current cut off.

Inwitness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of the two under,- signed witnesses.

LOUIS ROTTENBURG.

Witnesses: I GUY E. LLOYD, E. GUY BRYAN- five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

